Diverter element arrangement



Feb. 15, 1966 w. w. COCHRAN 3,235,051

DIVERTER ELEMENT ARRANGEMENT Filed March 4, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. WILLIAM W COCHRAN Feb. 15, 1966 Filed March 4, 1964 W. W. COCHRAN DIVERTER ELEMENT ARRANGEMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. WILLIAM W. COCHIQAN United States Patent O 3,235,051 DIVERTER ELEMENT ARRANGEMENT William W. Cochran, 1460 W. Forest, Decatur, Ill. Filed Mar. 4, 1964, Ser. No. 349,365 7 Claims. (Cl. 193-43) This invention relates to a new and improved transfer diverter element arrangement particularly adapted to be used in handling granular free-flowing materials such as grain, cement, flour, starch and the like. More specifically, the present invention is directed towards a transfer diverter element arrangement wherein a housing is provided with an inlet portion and a plurality of outlet portions and a transfer diverter element is movably mounted within the housing to receive material from the inlet portion and direct it through the selected outlet portion. The desired or appropriate outlet portion may be readily selected through the provision of suitable means mounted exteriorly of the housing which permits the transfer diverter element to be shifted from one outlet to the other without the necessity of stopping or shutting off the flow of material therethrough.

The particular advantages and beneficial results obtained by the present transfer arrangement will become readily apparent upon a consideration of the more prominent objects to be achieved and the attendant description to follow.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved transfer diverter element arrangement particularly adapted for use in handling granular materials.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a transfer diverter element arrangement of uncomplicated design which is provided with means exteriorly of the housing to permit the selective operation of a transfer diverter element movably mounted within the housing.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improved transfer diverter element arrangement which is operable to selectively direct flow into one of a plurality of outlets with the selection of the appropriate outlet being easily accomplished through the operation of a novel transfer lever mechanism operable by means mounted exteriorly of the housing.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a new and improved transfer diverter element arrangement of uncomplicated construction which permits selective control of flow between a single inlet and three outlets through the provision of a novel transfer lever arrangement carried by uniquely positioned cross shafts to permit passing of the transfer diverter element from one cross shaft to another.

Further and fuller objects will become readily apparent when reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an axial cross section of a transfer diverter element arrangement having two outlet portions with dotted lines to indicate an alternate position of the transfer diverter element, and phantom lines to indicate an intermediate position of the transfer diverter element during the shifting operation;

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross section taken through the central portion of the transfer diverter element arrangement of FIGv 1 when the transfer diverter element member is in the position shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 3 is an axial cross section of a transfer diverter element arrangement having three outlet portions with solid, dotted, and phantom lines to indicate the position of the transfer diverter element when material flow is being directed to each of the three outlet portions; and

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross section taken through the central portion of the transfer diverter element arrangement when the transfer diverter element is in the process "ice of being shifted from the central outlet portion to one of the other outlet portions.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the transfer diverter element 10 includes a housing 11 which may be eliptical, rectangular or any other suitable shape in transverse cross section. The housing 11 is provided With an inlet sleeve portion 12 at the top and outlet portions 13 and 14 at the lower extremity. The inlet sleeve portion 12 projects inwardly into the housing 11 terminating in an open annular inner end portion 15. A transfer diverter element 16 is mounted within the housing and movable between the outlet portions 13 and 14 to control the direction of material flow. An annular upper end por tion 17 of the transfer diverter element 16 is loosely positioned around the inner or lower end 15 of the inlet sleeve 12 in overlapping relation therewith. A lower end portion 18 on the transfer diverter element 16 is received in the outlet portion 13.

Suitable mounting means may be provided adjacent each of the inlet and outlet portions and on the housing as well, for mounting the transfer diverter element arrangement in a material handling system. In the present case, the mountings are illustrated in section as a series of flanges adapted to receive suitable mounting bolts. It is to be understood that any form of mounting means for the transfer diverter element arrangement 10 may be provided as long as it does not interfere with the operation of the transfer diverter element 16.

The lower end 18 of the transfer diverter element 16 is provided with a pair of opposed apertures 19 and 21 which receive a pair of outwardly projecting rivet members 21 and 22. The rivets may be fastened to the transfer diverter element 16 by any suitable means such as welding or the equivalent. Each of the rivets 21 and 22 receives the upper end portion of a transfer lever 23 and 24 with a bearing fit. The rivets 21 and 22 are of suitable axial length to prevent the transfer lever from slipping off the associated end due to the reduced clearance between the ends of the rivet and the associated side of the housing 11. In addition, it will become apparent that the distance between the transfer levers is fixed by being joined to a common shaft.

The lower end portion of the transfer levers 23 and 24 are welded to the ends of a pair of sleeve members 25 and 26 which are received over a cross shaft 27 journaled in suitable bearings 32 and 33 on opposite sides of the housing between the inlet and outlet portions 13 and 1d. The sleeve members 25 and 26 are joined to the cross shaft 27 for rotation therewith by means of cross pins 23 and 29 which may take the form of cotter pins or the equivalent. This also serves to limit any movement of one trans fer lever relative to the other. The outer end of the cross shaft 27 projects beyond the bearing 32 and is joined to a diverter element operating handle 25 for rotating the cross shaft 27 to selectively move the transfer diverter element 16 between the outlets 13 and 14.

When the transfer diverter element 16 is positioned as shown in solid lines in FIG. 1, the material flow is directed from the inlet sleeve 12 through the transfer diverter element 16 and outwardly through the outlet portion 13. The flow of material leaving the lower end of the transfer diverter element 16 normally would impinge against the side of the housing 11, however, in order to prevent undue wear, a suitable wear pad such as a layer of belting 30 may be provided to protect the material from damage, and also increase the longevity or useful life of the housing 11 in this area. A similar arrangement is provided at 30 in the outlet portion 14.

Transfer diverter element arrangements of the type illustrated in FIG. 1 are particularly useful in material handling operations for liquids, granular material and the like. Distribution between various bins, scales and storage may be accomplished readily through the implementation of the transfer diverter element of the present invention in known material handling systems. In this connection, When it is desirable to direct the flow of material to the outlet 14, the handle 28 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction causing the transfer levers 23 and 24 to raise the transfer diverter element 16 to the intermediate position shown in solid lines in FIG. 2 and in phantom lines in PG. 1. Continued rotation of the handle to the position indicated at 31 in dotted lines moves the transfer diverter element 16 to the position also indicated in dotted lines with the lower end portion 18 directing the material from the inlet portion 12 to the outlet portion 14. Suitable means may be provided to hold the handle in any desired position. This includes any known form of locking device, stop arrangement or the like and is obviously within the skill of those familiar with the art. In the illustrated construction, the weight of the handle 31 and the transfer diverter element 16 acting through the transfer levers 23 and 24 maintains it in the adjusted position.

It is readily apparent that the transfer diverter element may also be left in the raised position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1 if it is desired to have substantially equal flow between the outlet portions 13 and 14. When the transfer diverter element 16 is positioned to direct flow to a selected outlet portion, the unique construction of the transfer diverter element is such that no leakage flow will occur past the diverter element to a non-selected outlet.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, a second form of transfer diverter element arrangement is indicated generally at including a housing 41 which may be of any suitable form of construction as described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, with the preferred form being generally rectangular in transverse cross section. An inlet sleeve 42 is provided at the top of the housing 41, and a series of outlet portions 43, 44 and 45 are provided at the lower extremity.

The inlet sleeve 42 projects well into the housing terminating in an annular inner end portion 46. A transfer diverter element 47 is movably mounted within the housing and is provided with an upper end portion 48 loosely positioned around the annular inner end 46 of the inlet sleeve 42. A lower end portion 49 on the transfer diverter element 47 extends into the outlet portion 44 to direct material flow from the inlet 42 to the selected outlet.

The lower end 49 of the transfer diverter element 47 is provided with a pair of oppositely directed rivet members 50 and 51 projecting through the side portions and adapted to receive a pair of transfer levers 52 and 53 with a hearing fit in order to permit rotation of the transfer lever relative to the associated rivet. It is contemplated that the rivets may be fastened to the transfer diverter element 47 by suitable means such as welding or the equivalent.

Each of the transfer levers 52 and 53 is provided with an aperture in the central portion for mounting on the rivet. Hook-like portions 54 and 55 and 56 and 57 are provided at opposite ends of the transfer levers 52 and 53 respectively. As illustrated, the hook portions 55 and 57 of the transfer levers 52 and 53 are received over a cross shaft 53 which is rotatably mounted by suitable bearing means 59 and 60 on opposite sides of the housing 41. It is contemplated that the cross shaft 58 will be of polygonal or rectangular cross section to co-operate with the similarly shaped hook portions on the transfer levers 52 and 53 for reasons to become apparent.

As seen in FIG. 3, the cross shaft 58 is mounted between the adjacent outlets 44 and 43 out of the material flow path and serves to move the transfer diverter element 47 between these two outlets. A second cross shaft is also shown in FIG. 3 at 61 being mounted within the housing 41 between adjacent outlet portions 44 and 45 by suitable bearing means (not shown) of the type illustrated in FIG. 4 in connection with the cross shaft 58. The cross sectional configuration of the cross shaft 61 is identical to the cross shaft 58 and is adapted to receive and co-operate with the hooked ends 54 and 56 on the transfer levers 52 and 53 in the manner shown in FIG. 3.

Cross shaft 58 projects outwardly of bearing means 69 to provide a mounting for an operating handle 62. A handle stop 63 is provided to limit the counterclockwise movement of the handle 62 for purposes to become apparent. A similar arrangement is provided for the cross shaft 61 the associated handle 64 (shown in dotted lines) being mounted in an identical manner to the handle 62 on the cross shaft 58. A handle stop 65 (shown in dotted lines) is provided to limit the clockwise rotation of the handle 64.

The three-way transfer diverter element arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 permits rapid selection of the desired outlet. For example, in the position shown in solid lines, the transfer diverter element 47 directs material through the outlet portion 44. With the transfer diverter element 47 in this position, both handles 62 and 64 are in the vertical position illustrated, and the transfer levers 52 and 53 are generally horizontally disposed with the hook portions 54 and 56, and 55 and 57 co-operating with the cross shaft 61 and 58 respectively.

When it becomes desirable to shift the flow of material from the outlet 44 to the outlet 43, handle 62 is moved away from the stop 63 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 causing the transfer levers 52 and 53 to rotate with the cross shaft 58. Continued rotation lifts the hook portions 54 and 56 off of the cross shaft 61 and shifts the transfer diverter element 47 to the position shown in phantom lines to direct the flow through the outlet portion 43. When the transfer diverter element is in this position, the intersection 66 of the sides of adjacent outlet portions 43 and 44, co-operates with the arcuate portion 67 on the hook-shaped ends to maintain the transfer levers on the shaft 58.

When it becomes desirable to shift to the center outlet portion 44, handle 62 is released from the position shown in phantom lines and rotated counterclockwise into engagement with the stop 63. The rotational motion raises the transfer diverter element 47 upwardly around the lower end 46 of the inlet 42, and as the handle 62 approaches the stop 63, the transfer diverter element 47 is lowered to the position illustrated in solid lines to direct flow through the outlet 44.

If it is desired to shift the fiow from the outlet portion 44 to the outlet portion 45 handle 64 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction away from the stop 65 causing the transfer levers 52 and 53 to rotate with the cross shaft 61. The hooked end portions 55 and 57 on the opposite ends of the transfer levers 52 and 53 lift off the cross shaft 58 causing the transfer diverter element 47 to move in a generally arcuate path to the final position shown in dotted lines so that the material is discharged from the transfer diverter element into the outlet portion 45.

The arcuate portions on the ends of the transfer levers are closely adjacent the intersection 68 of the sides of adjacent outlet portions 44 and 45 and thereby maintain the transfer levers on the cross shaft 61 in a manner similar to that described in connection with opposite ends of the transfer levers.

It is contemplated that suitable locking means may be provided to hold the handle 62 and 64 in the position shown in phantom and dotted lines respectively, such arrangement being obviously within the skill of a design engineer. It is further contemplated that other forms of operating means other than the handle 62 and 64 may be readily provided, such as pulley arrangements or the like to operate transfer diverter element which are remotely placed, for example, in the upper area of grain elevators and the like.

In the construction illustrated, the weight of the handle along with the weight of the transfer diverter element 47 acting through the transfer levers 52, and 53 is suflicient to maintain the transfer diverter element in the selected position. From the foregoing it can be appreciated that the transfer diverter element arrangement of the present invention is of uncomplicated and economical design While having operational attributes not available with known devices.

Although the present invention has been illustrated in connection with two embodiments, it will become imme diately obvious to those skilled in the art that various other forms are possible once the present transfer diverter element arrangement is known. Accordingly, any limitations imposed should be Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A transfer diverter element comprising, a housing having an inlet portion and at least two outlet portions, said inlet portion being for-med by a sleeve projecting into said housing, a transfer diverter element having one end thereof positioned around said inlet portion within said housing in overlapping relation therewith, means positioned between said outlet portions for mounting the opposite end of said transfer diverter element for movement between each of said outlets, means outwardly of said housing for actuating said means mounting the opposite end of said transfer diverter element thereby to permit selective shifting of a lower end portion of said transfer diverter element between said outlet portions, said means mounting the opposite end of said transfer diverter element for movement between said outlet portions including a cross shaft journaled at opposite ends in said housing and having one end projecting outwardly therefrom for mounting said actuating means, and a pair of transfer levers having a portion thereof joined to said lower portion of said transfer diverter element, each of said transfer levers having the other end thereof rotatably connected to said coss shaft for moving said transfer diverter element in response to rotation of said cross shaft.

2. The transfer diverter element arrangement of claim 1 wherein said cross shaft is non-circular in cross section and said transfer lever is provided with hooked portions at opposite ends, said hook portions being appropriately shaped to non-rotatably receive said cross shaft.

3. A transfer diverter element arrangement particularly adapted for use in material handling operations comprising a housing, an inlet sleeve extending into said housing, a plurality of outlet portions at a lower portion of said housing, a transfer diverter element interposed between said inlet and outlet portions and having the upper end thereof surrounding said inlet sleeve portion, a cross shaft extending transversely of said housing and having opposite end portions thereof journaled in said housing for rotation relative thereto, said cross shaft being positioned between adjacent outlet portions, transfer lever means pivotally joined to said transfer diverter element, and means on said transfer lever means adapted to cooperate with said cross shaft whereby rotation of said cross shaft through said transfer lever moves said transfer diverter element from one outlet portion to the other.

4. The transfer diverter element arrangement of claim 3 wherein said means on said transfer lever means comprises a hooked shaped end portion adapted to fit over said cross shaft for rotation therewith.

5. A transfer diverter element arrangement particularly adapted for use in material handling operations cornprising a housing having an inlet sleeve portion and a plurality of adjacent outlet portions, a transfer diverter element Within said housing and having the upper end closely adjacent said inlet sleeve portion, a cross shaft mounted in said housing adjacent the junction of each of said adjacent outlet portions, a pair of trans-fer levers having the central section of each rotatably joined to said transfer diverter element, each of said transfer levers having hook shaped end portions for reception over said cross shaft, said cross shaft and said hook shaped end portions on said transfer levers being of polygonal shape for non-rotatable engagement and means to selectively rotate each of said cross shafts to shift said transfer diverter element from one outlet to the other.

6. A transfer diverter element arrangement particularly adapted for use in material handling operations comprising a housing having an inlet sleeve portion and two adjacent outlet portions, a transfer diverter element mounted within said housing and having the upper end thereof closely adjacent said inlet sleeve portion, a cross shaft mounted in said housing between said outlet portions, a pair of transfer levers having one end thereof rotatably joined to said transfer diverter element, the opposite end of each of said levers being connected to said cross shaft for rotation therewith, and means exterior of said housing to rotate said cross shaft for moving said transfer diverter element between said outlet portions.

7. A transfer diverter element arrangement particularly adapted for use in material handling operations comprising a housing having an inlet sleeve portion and three outlet portions, a transfer diverter element within said housing and having the upper end thereof closely adjacent said inlet sleeve portion, a cross shaft having a polygonal cross section mounted transversely of said housing closely adjacent the intersection of adjacent outlet portions, a pair of transfer levers having the central section of each rotatably joined to a lower portion of said transfer diverter element, each of said transfer levers having a hooked end portion at opposite ends thereof suitably shaped for non-rotatable reception of the associated cross shaft, and means to selectively rotate each of said cross shafts to impart rotation to said transfer levers thereby selectively to shift said transfer diverter element to the desired one of said three outlet portions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1956 Steffen et a1. 19323 6/1958 Ponto 19323 

6. A TRANSFER DIVERTER ELEMENT ARRANGEMENT PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN MATERIAL HANDLING OPERATIONS COMPRISING A HOUSING HAVING AN INLET SLEEVE PORTION AND TWO ADJACENT OUTLET PORTIONS, A TRANSFER DIVERTER ELEMENT MOUNTED WITHIN SAID HOUSING AND HAVING THE UPPER END THEREOF CLOSELY ADJACENT SAID INLET SLEEVE PORTION, A CROSS SHAFT MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING BETWEEN SAID OUTLET PORTIONS, A PAIR OF TRANSFER LEVERS HAVING ONE END THEREOF ROTATABLY JOINED TO SAID TRANSFER DIVERTER ELEMENT, THE OPPOSITE END 